Gearing mechanism for effecting speed changes



June 16, 1942. L. H. SCOTT Y 2,286,236

GEARING MECHANISM FOR E FFECTING CHANGES Filed Oct. 1, 1940 2 Sheets-Shet l INVENTOR BY 4 M Jud 77% an mv mwzfi ATTORN June 16, 1942. I L, scofi 2,286,236 GEARING MECHANISM FOR EFFECTING SPEED CHANGES Filed 0e21, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 16,1942

GEARJNG MECHANISM FOR EFFECTING SPEED CHANGES Lloyd Hoyt Scott, Garden City, N. Y., assignor to The Seymour Corporation of Delaware, Seymour, Conn., a corporation of Delaware Application October 1, 1940, Serial No. 359,196

10 Claims. (Cl. 123-149) -This invention relates to a gearing mechanism for transmitting driving torque with a desired speed change, and particularly to a coupling and speed changing gearing which incorporates a phase control or angular adjustment.

The invention has for its object generally the provision of a. speedchanging gearing of the character indicated which is simple and rugged. and is constructed in a manner adapted to provide substantially any desired angular relation,

within certain limits, of driving to driven members, which are proportioned for accomplishing a desired speed change.

More specifically, the objectis to provide a unitary device which may be employed to effect (-oupling between a driving member and a driven member proportioned to effect a change in speed in a desired ratio, through a third member which is arranged to -eiiect the angular adjustment, or phase change, desired; such as may be used, for example, when coupling an internal combustion engine to a magneto.

Another object is to incorporate a'phase change in a speed changing gearing of the character indicated, so that the driving and'driven mem- Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing a modified form of speed changing gearing; and

Figs. 4 and 5 are fragmentary views showing details.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, I0 denotes the wall of acasing or housing, such as may house a magneto. A rotating member or shaft H is journaled in the housing and provided with an end protruding through a bearing l2 that is mounted in end wall Illa (see Fig.. 2) of the housing, such bearing including when desired an oil-seal. By such arrangement, the housing wall is substantially closed about the shaft H, the protruding end being arranged to receive driving torque.

In the arrangement shown, housing II! is advantageously formed with its end wall llla made detachable and having an annular rib it for supporting and/0r positioning thereon a shell .or casing I00 which encloses a speed changing gearing of the invention. Here, the gearing is devised to effect the coupling of shaft H with bers may have a direct and positive phase adjustment whereby a desired advance and/or retardation of the relative angular positions of driving and drivenmembers is had, and the adjustment readily held when made.

Still anothenobjectis to provide a construction for a casing for a gearing of the character indicated whereby the device may also serve, to absorb'vibration and to block the transmission thereof to the driven mechanism.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly, comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplifled in-the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the' nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in .which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational'view of a housing for apparatus such as a magneto-electric machine, which is provided with a speed changing gearing in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 inFig. 1, showing the gearing mechanism partly in elevation and partly in section;

' housing II] by bolts I0! and preferably is pro-,

of the planetary type and hence occupies rela- 'tively little space.

Such gearing comprises essentially a-driving member, a driven member, and a normally stationary member. In the present invention, this latter is made to be movable .when a phase adjustment or certain other changes, as hereinafter explained. are desired to be efiected.

The casing It"! may be securedjn place on vided with a closure I02 that is separable therefrom, as hereinafter more fully explained and the casing I00 is arranged to support onemem ber, which is normally stationary, of the speed change gearing. To this end, casing ,lllll is formed with an internal shoulder 14 that is spaced from the rib l3, providing thereby a mentary shouldered portion 20 of shaft H. In such arrangement, a plurality of planetary gears is preferred because of the balanced effects so achieved; the arrangement of Fig. 2 employing two or more planetary gears.

Each planetary gear I! preferably has an annular shape with a large central bore in order to accommodate a ballbearing by which it is pivotally attached to an arm of the spider; ballbearings or other suitable antifriction bearings being preferably used in the device wherever bearings are required in the practice of the invention.

\ On the inside, the planetary gears Il mesh with a driving member, here shown as a sun gear 25, comprising a toothed portion on a hub por' tion 25, together with a reduced coupling portion 21 which may be integral with the former and arranged to protrude through an opening I03 in the center of the closure I02. Coupling portion 21 is grooved or otherwise formed for mechanical coupling to a source of driving force.

(not shown in the drawing in the interests of clearness of illustration).

On the interior of casing I the hub portion 26 is elongated adjacent the gear portion 25, in order that it may be conveniently hollowed or bored out for the reception of one or more ball bearings 30 that mount the sun gear on a further reduced but extended end portion 28 of shaft II. End portion 28 is, of course, cylindrical, and is provided with means at 29 for ,holding the bearings 30 in place on the end of the shaft; such means conveniently comprising a screw and washer accessible through an opening in the end of the coupling portion 21.

An enlarged washer 3| is also advantageously slipped over the reduced end 28 against the shoulder adjoining the portion 20 of shaft II. Washer 3| is preferably of a diameter such as to close entirely the internal bore of the hub portion 26, such bore being also adthe driving torque. The assembly thus provided on the engine frame or casing thus forms what might be regarded as a rigid structure, transmitting any vibration of the engine to the magneto through closure I02, unless suitable steps are taken for preventing this. To achieve such prevention, vibration absorbing means are interposed in the connection between casing I00 and closure I02. To this end, the Joint between the casing I00 and closure I02 is effected by means of a. resilient element or material which has a relatively great damping coefficient, for example, rubber. A continuous rubber member I05 is shown inserted in suitable retaining grooves formed respectively in casing I00 and in the closure I02. Such member, when in place, is also resistant to the passage of lubricant. The shape or cross-section of the rubber'member may have any convenient form, for example, circular. When the casing and its closure are assembled with the rubber member in between, such member contributes to the angular rigidity of the assemvantageously counterbored or recessed in order that the washer 3| may close relatively tightly the bearing receiving bore and thus serving as means 'for retaining any lubricant introduced into the bore.

In order that the planetary gearing thus provided may have phase adjustment, in accordance with the invention, the ring gear I5 is mounted in such manner and provided with such means that angular movement thereof may be effected about the groove I3-I4. Any suitable means may be employed which is positive in action and capable of holding an adjustment when made. An exemplary means is shown in Fig. 2, and here comprises a bevel gear 35 journaled in the easing I00 at a, convenient point and formed with its axis of rotation at an angleto that of the ring gear; for example, one which is substantially at right angles to that of the ring gear I5. At least a portion of the side of the ring gear is provided with a complementary set of beveled gear teeth 31 for meshing with gear 35; the latter beingconveniently formed with a protruding external portion 36 which may be kerfed or otherwise adapted for engagement with a motion transmitting shaft (not shown in the drawing in the interests of clearness of illustration).

The closure I02 is adapted to be secured to any suitable support, such as the frame or casing of an internal combustion engine, and 'tothis end preferably has flanges that have openings 04 for the reception of securing bolts. When so se cured, closure I02 serves as the mounting means for the magneto on the engine which provides bly, while accommodating transverse vibrations. Also, it will be seen that the parts when assembled as shown may not be disassembled.

In operation, the change in speed from that of the driving member to that of the driven member, i. e., from that of portion 21 to that of shaft l I, is determined by the ratio of the radius of the sun gear 25 to the sum of the radii of sun gear 25 and of ring gear I5, respectively. Since cas-. ing I00 may be made in one or more standard sizes and may thus be adapted to house planetary gearing, giving speed changes in different ratios,

various sized casings with their assembled gearing may be employed to effect various speed changes in the transmission of driving torque from a driving member to a driven member.

Such means, it is seen, may be used to effect a of the engine shaft is achieved. It is seen that the arrangement is such that, when a phase ad justment is made by moving ring gear I5, the position thereof is readily held.

In the modification shown in Fig. 3, a modified casing end H0 is shown which has a wide rib III that is arranged to support a detachable cover or casing H2; the latter being formed with' an opening I I3 through which protrudes a shank 21 of a sun gear 25 that extends to the exterior of the casing. In this form, the portion 20 of shaft II, as in the first modification, is engaged by a hub portion IQ of a spider whose part or arms I0 carry planetary gearing, such as at II, which engages with a ring gear I5I. This latter is supported as in the first modification, i. e., in a peripheral .groove in the casing .I I0; the groove being here arranged to be opened when the casing H2 is removed.

Such grdove in the second modification is formed by cutting similar annular recesses in the adjoining faces at III of casings H0 and 2, each recess being formed by cutting back the face at the inner periphery for a desired distance, so that there is provided an arcuate clearance with spaced but opposite shoulders Ill and H5. The faces are preferably further recessed at a radial distance a little further out on the radii of the casings so that the shoulders Ill and H overhang to a desided extent.

The ring gear I5I, in order, to work in a desired manner in such groove, is also annularly ably interposed in each of these oppositely formed side grooves a liner or packing member, such as shown respectively at I54 and I55. The interior teeth of the ring gear which engage with the planetary gear or gears are shown at I 56.

; In order that the ring gear here shown may be arcuately adjusted when desired, it is provided with a lever arm I35 that is formed as a radial extension on a friction band orring I36, as clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The other end of band I38 has a radially projecting lug I31 that is disposed adjacent the leverarm I35 and secured thereto by means of a screw I38 which has threaded, engagement with lever arm I35 only. Motiontransmitted through lever arm I35 to the ring gear thus causes it to travel in an arcuate slot IEO formed as a continuation of the groove IId-IIS to the outside of the casing andextending preferably but a limited distance about the periphery of the casing H2. lever arm I35 may have any suitable form, for example, that of a radial memberwhich has its inner end attached to the band I35, which, when tightened, engages the outside surface of the ring gear I SI and may move the same. The lever arm I35 is formed, for example, perforated, at the outer end, for attachment to suitable actuating means, such as a rod or linkage (not shown in, the drawing in the interests of cleamess of illustration).

In operation, the second modification operates to efiect a change of desired ratio in the speeds at which the driving shaft and driven shaft run, in the same manner as in the modification shown in Fig. 2. when it is desired to effect a phase adjustment,' motion is transmitted to the lever arm I35 in order to impart to it arcuate move- 'ment in the slot I60. This travel is seen to effeet a phase adjustment substantially in the same manner as in the first-described modification, the arrangement being such that the adjustment is readily held when made.

I It will be seen that, by the present invention, the angular adjustment here arbitrarily imparted to the ring gear member in the casing I00 perinits angular adjustment of the driving member mounting flange slots and excessive engine clearance.

Also it will be seen that the present invent.Jn is readily adapted for use in connection with automatic devices for efiecting advance or retardation of the spark from a magneto, since the. operating connection from such device, whether transmitting motion of rotation or translation, may be coupled mechanically to the phase adjustment of the ring gear of the presentspeed changing device.

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction and different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above, description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense;

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecureby Letters Patent is:

1. In a speed change gearing, the combination with a rotatable member provided with a sun gear, of a spider provided with a planetary gearing in operative association with said sun gear, a second rotatable member in engagement with said spider, a third member normally stationary and provided with a ring gear in orbital association with said planetary gearing, said gearing when operatively assembled having radii proportioned to effect a desired speed change, a casing for supporting said gear assembly and provided with a groove in which said ring gear member may be moved arcuately, said casing having a peripherally grooved opening and a complementary grooved closure portion perforated to pass said first-named rotatable member, and a vibration absorbing member disposed in said grooves and forming a joint which holds the parts rigidly in desired angular adjustment.

2. A combined magneto driving, mounting and timing device comprising a casing adapted on one side to be mounted in a fixed position on an internal combustion engine and on the opposite side to serve as a mounting for a magneto in a fixed position, planetary gearing including. a normally stationary ring gear and journalled with- 21 with respect to the magneto shaft II, whereby seen that the magneto may be quickly mounted on the engine without regard to any tooth or spline engagement and permanently fastened. The magneto may be brought into perfect timing with the engine by rotating the ring gear to the proper position and then clamping the advance and retard mechanism. This eliminates any need for trial mounting, harness flexibility, arcuate operating faces on said members of such dimension as to be spaced apart when mounted intelescoping relation, said faces being provided with complementary grooves and compressed vibration absorbing means of resilient material seated in the grooves to form a supporting joint.

4. Magneto mounting means comprising, in

combination, a member to be relatively fixed, a complementary member on a magneto unit, cooperating circumambient faces on said members of such dimension as to be spaced apart when mounted in telescoping relation, said faces being provided with complementary grooves, and vibration absorbing means of compressed resilient material seated in the grooves to form a supporting joint.

5. Magneto mounting means comprising, in

combination a member, to be relatively fixed, a'

complementary member on a magnetounit, to

operating cylindroidal faces on said members of such dimension as, to be spaced radially apart when mounted in telescoping 'relation, said faces beingprovided with complementary grooves, and

a vibration 1 absorbing ring of compressed resilient material seated in the grooves toform a supporting joint,

6. Magneto mounting means comprising, i in combinatioma mounting plate adapted tobe fixedly mounted'on a vibratingstr'ucture and having an aperture for traverse'byadriven member,

an annular extending flan'geon one=-faceof said, plate about the aperture;a complementary memthereof for traverse by a driving member adapted I to rotate the magneto rotor and means demountably to mount the driving side of said casing to a-magneto unit.

8. A demountable and readily replaceable speed change gearing unit, comprising a casing enclosing speed change gearing and having an aperture in one side thereof for traverse by a driven member and an aperture in the opposite side thereof for traverse by a driving member adapted to rotate the magneto rotor, means demountably to mount the driven side of said casing to supporting structure, and means demountably to mount the driving side of said casing to a magnetounit.

9. A demountable and readily replaceable speed-change gearing unit, comprising. inLcom-- bination, a casing enclosing speed change 'gearing comprising a driven sungear, an adjustable normally stationary ring gear I'and a; rotatable 1 member having planetary vgeari'n'ginoperative engagement with said --sun"- 'gear and ring-gear,- said rotatable member adapted to be coupled to a magneto rotor through an aperture in one side of said casing, the opposite side of said casing having an aperture for traverse by a driven member for driving said sun gear, means demountably to mountthe driving. side-01.55am casing to a ma-== neto unit with said rotatable member coupledato the rotor thereof and means extending through said casing adapted for adjustablerotation of said ring gear to desired stationary positions.

10. A demountable and readily; replaceable speed change gearing unit, comprising, in combination; a casing enclosing speed change gearing comprising a driven sun gear, an adjustable ring 2 gear and a rotatable member'having planetary gearing in operative engagement with said sun gear and ring gear, said rotatable member adapted to be coupledto a magneto rotor through'an aperture in one side of said casing, the opposite side of said casing having an aperture for traverse by a driven member for driving said sun gear, means demountabie to mount the driving side of said casing to a magneto unit with said-rotatable member coupled 'to the rotor thereof and means extending through said casing adapted-for adjustable rotation of said ring gear,. said casing having a mounting plate providing the driyen side thereof with saidplate having a circumambient transversely extending flange cooperating with a complementary flange on the main body of said casing ,with said flanges provided with complementary grooves and in which is firmly fiaitaeld a vibration-absorbing ring of resilient ma- LLOYD HOYT SCO'I'I. 

